Estate Planning for Bexar County, Texas Property Owners

For most Bexar County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

For a Bexar County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Statutory Probate Courts (3). The two tools that keep a Bexar County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the County Clerk, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Bexar County property passes through the Statutory Probate Courts (3) — even simple Texas probates run 4+ months and start with $415 in filing fees. Texas also lets owners name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on vehicle titles, which keeps cars out of the same process.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Bexar County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Bexar County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the County Clerk during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Texas transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgmentTex. Estates Code 114.001 to 114.106Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's deathTex. Estates Code 114.001 to 114.106Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Bexar County are recorded with the County Clerk in San Antonio, TX 78205.

The County Clerk charges $25 for the first page plus $4 for each additional page. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Bexar County comes to $29. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Bexar County

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$25
Each additional page$4
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 118.011(a)(2), § 118.0216, § 118.025

Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Bexar County

FirmSan Antonio, TX

Bertsch & Boze Elder Law, PC

Serves 3 counties

San Antonio elder law firm serving Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties, led by Carol Bertsch, a Certified Elder Law Attorney. Handles probate administration including muniment of title and determination of heirship, special needs and qualified income trusts, and long-term care Medicaid planning. Probate is quoted as a one-time flat fee.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
8703 BroadwaySan Antonio, TX 78217

FirmSan Antonio, TX

Hailey-Petty Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 7 counties

San Antonio and Austin firm handling independent and dependent administration, muniment of title, small estate affidavits, letters testamentary, and trust administration for families across Bexar, Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties. Also handles guardianship and Medicaid crisis planning. Free 45-minute estate planning and probate consultations.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 2 more

Office
17721 Rogers Ranch Parkway, Suite 130San Antonio, TX 78258
Free consultation

Solo PracticeBoerne, TX

Law Office of Lasca A. Arnold, PLLC

Serves 7 counties

Boerne practice in the Texas Hill Country serving Kendall, Bexar, Comal, and Kerr counties, limited to estate planning and probate administration. Lasca Arnold takes executors through probate for letters testamentary, determination of heirship and letters of administration, muniment of title, and small estate affidavits. Free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionPower Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
140 E Bandera RdBoerne, TX 78006
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSan Antonio, TX

Law Offices of Ryan Reiffert, PLLC

Serves 2 counties

San Antonio attorney handling estate matters for business owners and families in Bexar County, with a San Marcos office by appointment. Covers probate and its alternatives — affidavits of heirship, small estate affidavits, and muniment of title — plus trust administration, wills, trusts, asset protection, and business succession planning.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 6 more

Office
8118 Datapoint DrSan Antonio, TX 78229

FirmSan Antonio, TX

Law Offices of Thomas G. Bassler, P.C.

Since 1988 · Serves 4 counties

San Antonio firm near the airport, serving Bexar County and the surrounding Hill Country counties since 1988. Walks executors and administrators through will probate, intestate administration, and the alternatives to probate, and drafts wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Thomas G. Bassler is board certified in estate planning and probate law; Spanish is spoken in the office.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateBusiness FormationReal Estate

Office
306 W Sunset Rd, Suite 119San Antonio, TX 78209
Free consultation

Solo PracticeSan Antonio, TX

Maverick Law, P.C.

Serves 5 counties

Solo practice near downtown San Antonio serving Bexar County and the surrounding Guadalupe, Kendall, Wilson, and Comal counties. Brian Maverick, board certified in estate planning and probate law since 2009, takes families through probate, transfers a decedent's real estate and business interests to heirs or will beneficiaries, and handles guardianships. Free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more

Office
6515 BroadwaySan Antonio, TX 78209
Free consultation
See all 17 firms serving Bexar County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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